Our mental health matters just as much as our physical well-being. Today is World Mental Health Day and we honour those who suffer with mental health issues, and we’re reminded to take care of our own mental health as well.
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World Mental Health is observed on the 10th of October each year, highlighting the importance of mental well-being. It reminds us that mental health is as important as physical health, and encourages people to seek help without fear of judgement.
The state of mental health in South Africa
Mental health is still a concern in South Africa because of social stigma and the challenge of access to treatment. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) says that approximately one in three South Africans will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime. The organisation is also aware of the shortage of accessible mental health service in our country.
Statistics also point to the fact that a large number of South Africans do not receive the help they need. This means there’s a huge treatment gap, leaving many people without support.
Why raising awareness matters
Despite many progress made in the mental health space, people still fear being labelled weak – they believe they should simply overcome their difficulties. Some may not even recognise that they need help. Raising awareness challenges these beliefs, and creates an environment where it feels perfectly natural to seek help for a mental health issue.
Accessible and affordable mental health service
Another part of the challenge of the treatment gap is the expense, with a one-hour session generally being around R1 000 and more. Not every person is able to afford that and follow-up sessions.
But many strides have been made in this regard, and South Africa has a addressed this need by making available low-cost services. Some include:
- The Counselling Hub: Offers 50-minute counselling sessions for R50. It covers issues like depression, anxiety, relationship challenges and grief counselling.
- Hope House: You can donate whatever you can afford. They support children and teens, it’s community-based and provides training.
- Headroom: An online platform with registered counsellors starting around R150 per hour.
- FAMSA Western Cape: A non-profit focusing on individuals, couples and family counselling.
- SADAG helpline: 0800 567 567 – for anyone who struggles with suicidal thoughts and needs help immediately. They can also direct you to a range of other services.
The bottom line
This year’s theme is ‘Lived experiences heard’, and the goal is to elevate the voices of those who suffer, so laws and policies can be shaped. We celebrate the progress made so far, so if you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out. A quick google search will give you instant access to exactly the right service for your needs.
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How to be a supporter to a loved one who is battling a mental health condition
Featured image: Pexels
